Vikings – Page 159 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Vikings Missed on Brainerd Lineman

Posted on October 30, 2016October 30, 2016 by David Shama

In last spring’s NFL Draft the Vikings used their fourth round pick to select Western Michigan offensive tackle Willie Beavers. One round later the Colts chose former Brainerd and North Dakota State offensive lineman Joe Haeg.

There has to be some head-scratching in Brainerd and Fargo over why the Vikings chose Beavers over Haeg. Beavers has yet to see the field on game days, while Haeg is earning praise in Indianapolis.

The Vikings have been reshuffling their offensive line for months trying to put together a cohesive unit that can run block, and protect quarterback Sam Bradford in the pocket. The task is ongoing with the latest effort last Sunday when the Vikings gave 31-year-old tackle Jake Long game action just days after signing him.

Part of the Vikings’ struggles are attributable to the retirement of veteran offensive tackle Phil Loadholt and the decline of center John Sullivan who was released prior to the season. Injuries to starting tackles Matt Kalil and Andre Smith have been a bigger part of the storyline. But in Indianapolis injuries have allowed Haeg to get an early start to his NFL career while playing guard and tackle.

Here’s what an online story in the October 26 Indianapolis Star said: “Fifth-round pick Joe Haeg has been invaluable for the Colts in just seven games as a pro. He’s now started games at three completely separate positions: right guard, right tackle and left guard. He’s become a jack of all trades and embodies the mantra of flexibility the Colts preach to their offensive linemen.”

Haeg, born in Minneapolis, was an All-American for the Bison and close observers could see his potential coming out of Brainerd High School. University of St. Thomas coach Glenn Caruso watched Haeg as a prep player and evaluated him as a “diamond in the rough.” Now Caruso has seen Haeg playing for the Colts. “It’s no surprise seeing his name on the back of a Colts jersey,” Caruso said.

While Vikings fans may wonder about acquiring a big salary veteran lineman like Joe Thomas from the Browns, they could have had Haeg for a rookie’s salary. Instead, they have Beavers who seven months ago Pro Football Focus ranked No. 2 among the “10 most overrated 2016 NFL Draft Prospects.” …

The Vikings gave up six sacks in their loss last week to the Eagles, and head coach Mike Zimmer complained about his team’s blocking. Will the Vikings vary their formations and at times use extra blockers in future games? “That’s a possibility,” Zimmer said. …

Veteran Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is in his eighth season with the Bears and neither he nor the team have fulfilled expectations since Chicago acquired him in a trade with the Broncos. When the Bears made their move for Cutler in the spring of 2009 the Vikings had a quarterback problem and Minnesota media were envious of Chicago’s deal. Later that year the Vikings convinced Brett Favre to come out of retirement. Cutler is expected to start for the 1-6 Bears Monday night in their game in Chicago against the Vikings. …

Kansas and head coach Bill Self might be in the lead to eventually sign nationally sought Rochester John Marshall power forward Matthew Hurt. Hurt is a sophomore and consensus five-star prospect.

Hurt’s brother Michael is a freshman forward for the Gophers and one of the team’s best potential shooters. The Hurt brothers attended Gophers games at Williams Arena as grade schoolers. …

There is no doubting the parity in college football. The Gophers, for example, won by only one point against Big Ten winless Rutgers a week ago Saturday afternoon. Unranked Penn State upset No. 2 Ohio State that night. Yesterday Associated Press top 10 ranked Baylor and West Virginia lost games. Gophers coach Tracy Claeys said there are often eight to 10 games each weekend with surprise endings. In his opinion the parity trend has been ongoing for about 10 years, and he thinks social media may play a role.

“Sometimes kids read things and try to make up their mind about the game…who is going to win or lose, and that can affect your preparation during the week. But I’m not for sure on all of it.

“I do think that kids are being trained better in high school, and are stronger. So I do think there’s a good core of players out there coming out of high school, and everybody’s getting their share of good ones.” …

Injuries have kept Gophers junior tight end Brandon Lingen sidelined for most of the season. Quarterback Mitch Leidner acknowledged Lingen’s absence has limited the passing game. The potential All-Big Ten receiver’s route running, speed and 6-5 height create more possibilities for Leidner, who compared Lingen to former teammate and 2014 All-American tight end Maxx Williams.

“He’s probably a little bit better of a route runner than Maxx was,” Leidner said. “He doesn’t have, I think, as great a hands as Maxx had, but I think he is a better route runner (than) when Maxx was here. I’d say they’re both probably pretty similar in speed.” …

Jared Weyler, the Gophers redshirt sophomore guard, said the offensive line is told on Fridays the unit’s goals include no sacks or hits on the quarterback for the next day’s game. Another goal is 300 yards rushing. In yesterday’s 40-17 win over Illinois, Minnesota gave up two sacks and rushed for 171 net yards. …

John Cunningham, a key hire earlier this year by new Gophers athletics director Mark Coyle, is a name to watch. A U alum and critic of the athletic department raved about Cunningham in a conversation with Sports Headliners. Cunningham, the Gophers deputy athletics director for administration, impressed the alum with his intelligence and personality. Cunningham has a law degree and his administrative skills include extensive experience with NCAA rules compliance. …

Former Timberwolves assistant coach Eric Musselman could be in for a successful season in his second year coaching Nevada. A preseason Mountain West Conference media poll predicts the Wolf Pack will finish second to San Diego State. Nevada went from a nine win team to 24 victories last season and won the College Basketball Invitational Championship.

Look for media and friends of Musselman here to push his name if the Gophers change head coaches next year. …

Dick Mattson, honored earlier this month by the Gophers with a Distinguished Service Award for his nearly 50 years as an athletic equipment manager, was a fiery supporter of U teams. During the Lou Holtz era he vigorously waved a hockey stick to fire up crowds before games at the Metrodome. …

A Sports Headliners reader emailed after last Monday’s column that Gophers Don Lucia is not only the winningest men’s hockey coach ever, but he also has lost the most games. Lucia’s record since taking over the Gophers for the 1999-2000 season is 418-221-69. He has coached the most games in Gophers’ history. …

When baseball was truly the nation’s pastime, MLB games were shorter and Americans were more patient. Times for the first games of the World Series have been 3:37, 4:04, 3:33 and 3:16. A lot of sports fans are too restless to watch for long. …

Glenn Caruso (photo courtesy of University of St. Thomas)

It’s been another special fall for St. Thomas football. A week ago Saturday head coach Glenn Caruso earned his 100th win at UST, while the Tommies program got its 600th victory. The first season of Tommies football was 1904.

The undefeated Tommies have been top five-ranked by D3football.com and could be headed back to the Division III national championship game. Caruso said the 2015 team was his best since starting with the Tommies in 2009. The coach said that was a selfless group, although not as athletic as Caruso’s 2011 and 2012 teams.

The Tommies are without injured All-American running back Jordan Roberts who has played in just two games. Caruso said pro scouts are showing interest in Roberts who will return to the Tommies next season. …

Bethel’s Steve Johnson also achieved a milestone victory in October, winning his 200th game at the school. He became the 78th coach among all divisions (12th active) to reach 200 wins, and the 33rd to do that at one school and the 10th in Division III. Johnson is in his 28th season at Bethel and his 200th win placed him third among active NCAA Division III coaches in career victories.

Bethel, 3-5 overall and 3-3 in MIAC games, lost 27-6 to St. Thomas yesterday. The Tommies are 8-0 and 6-0. …

Lou Nanne’s American Grill, the Edina restaurant that opened earlier this year for lunch and dinner, is now serving breakfast. A direct mail promotion was sent this month offering a $10 breakfast gift card. …

The milder than normal temps for much of October have extended the season for Twin Cities recreational players. A nine-hole course in the Minneapolis western suburbs was charging $10 to play nine holes this month, with $5 the cost to play nine more.

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Vikings Could Even ‘Limp’ into Playoffs

Posted on October 24, 2016October 24, 2016 by David Shama

The Vikings had a dismal performance in losing to the Eagles yesterday but with a 5-1 record they are positioned to qualify for the playoffs, and possibly a repeat title in the NFC North.

Mistakes on offense and special teams resulted in the team’s first loss of the season in Philadelphia, 21-10. The Vikings’ patchwork offensive line was exploited by the Eagles—creating the possibility quarterback Sam Bradford would sustain a serious and even season-ending injury.

Sam Bradford (photo courtesy of Minnesota Vikings)

Bradford is okay but perhaps the Eagles discovered something schematically other teams can use against the Vikings’ offense. Possible, but Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer would be expected to make schematic adjustments, too, and perhaps with personnel changes. Evident for certain yesterday was the Eagles played at a high level defensively. Philadelphia has given up only 23 total points in three home games this season.

A weak Bears team likely helps the Vikings to a sixth win when the two teams play next Monday night in Chicago. The 1-6 Bears have the worst record among the remaining teams on Minnesota’s schedule. The Vikings close the regular season with the Bears in Minneapolis January 1.

The Vikings also have two games remaining against the Lions (4-3), another division rival. The other opponents are the Cardinals (3-3-1), Colts (3-4), Cowboys (5-1), Jaguars (2-4), Packers (4-2) and Redskins (4-3).

With their remaining schedule (five home, five road) and superb defense, the Vikings figure to win at least five or six more times. Even playing .500 football—and the Vikings should do better than that—gives Minnesota a regular season record of 10-6 and probable spot in the playoffs. Last season the Vikings’ 11-5 record won the NFC North. In 2008 and 2012 Minnesota had 10-6 records, good enough to win the division one year and finish second the other season. The Vikings qualified for the playoffs both years. …

Former Vikings linebacker Jeff Siemon will (for a fee) sign memorabilia and pose for photos on Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. at Southtown Shopping Center in Bloomington. His appearance is part of the two-day Saturday-Sunday Triple Crown Sports Collectibles show. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. …

Gophers redshirt sophomore running back Rodney Smith was announced as the Big Ten’s Offensive player of the week this morning. He had 257 all-purpose yards in Minnesota’s win last Saturday against Rutgers. That was the most for a Gopher since Troy Stoudermire had 290 against Iowa in 2008. Highlights for Smith included a 94-yeard kickoff return for a touchdown. …

Gophers hockey coach Don Lucia didn’t bring up the subject but told Sports Headliners his uncertain contract status earlier this year cost the program at least one future recruit. He wouldn’t specify a number.

Lucia ended last season with just one more year on his contract. It was thought an extension could be finalized last spring or summer but an agreement for an additional two years wasn’t announced until earlier this month.

“I don’t know why it took so long, to be honest,” Lucia said. “Nothing changed from June when we talked, so it just took that long to get everything back from the University and get it all signed.”

When asked about the delay’s impact on recruiting, Lucia said, “It didn’t help. Let’s put it that way.”

Lucia, 58, has been leading the program since 1999 and is the Gophers’ all-time winningest coach. He is comfortable with the new contract that takes him through the 2018-2019 season. “It’s fine. It’s like anything. In some ways when you coach at this level, you’re always year to year. You do enough, and they want to keep you around. If not, they go in a different direction.

“I still love what I do. I know I am fortunate to be working here. It’s hard to believe this is my 18th year, 30th year as a head coach. It’s nice to be able to go to work and say I really enjoy what I do. I love the kids. This is a fun team to be around. They want to work.”

Lucia and other coaches in the athletic department were reporting to an interim athletic director during the past school year. That negated contract talks for Lucia until new AD Mark Coyle arrived last spring. It also impacted recruiting, although the Gophers do have multiple verbal commitments in place for next season.

Lucia is trying to get the Gophers back in the NCAA Tournament after failing to qualify last season—although Minnesota did win the Big Ten championship. The Gophers’ 6-11 nonconference record was the team’s undoing for the NCAA’s.

This season Minnesota is 2-2 in nonleague games. The Gophers won two games in Alaska against Anchorage and Fairbanks, but were swept last weekend by St. Cloud State. …

Rumors about the Timberwolves trading Tyus Jones to the Sixers makes sense for guard-desperate Philly. Jones could reunite with boyhood friend and ex-Duke teammate Jahlil Okafor.

Sports Illustrated’s NBA Preview issue predicts the Timberwolves will just miss qualifying for the playoffs, finishing ninth in the 15-team Western Conference. The magazine picks the Warriors to defeat the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.

Basketball authorities, including the NBA’s general managers, are optimistic about the Timberwolves who were 29-53 last season and haven’t qualified for the playoffs since 2004. The league’s GMs said in a survey Minnesota will be the NBA’s most improved team.

The survey named Wolves center Karl-Anthony Towns the player most general managers want to start a franchise. They also chose point guard Kris Dunn as most likely to be Rookie of the Year, and the second biggest steal in the draft. It’s a popular view Dunn, selected No. 5 overall in the first round, was the best player in the 2016 NBA Draft.

Sports Illustrated quoted an anonymous NBA scout as saying former Wolves forward Kevin Love wasn’t happy with the Cavaliers last season and likely would have been traded over the summer if the club hadn’t won the league championship in June. …

Greg Eslinger, the former Gopher All-American center inducted last week into the M Club Hall of Fame, weighed close to 300 pounds in college but has lost about 75 pounds and is running marathons. Eslinger has a sales career in Fargo.

Steve Fritz bobblehead (photo courtesy of University of St. Thomas)

Athletic director Steve Fritz is the cover subject of the current University of St. Thomas magazine. A bobblehead photo of Fritz, who coached the 2011 UST men’s basketball team to a national title, is on the cover with the headline “Steve Fritz Is the Ulitmate Tommie.” He is in his 50th school year, arriving at St. Thomas in 1967 as a student and basketball player, and after graduation staying on as an employee in various positions during his career.

Minneapolis-based Taste of the NFL founder Wayne Kostroski said via email that tickets are on sale for the 2017 event in Houston Saturday, February 4. The 26th annual party dedicated to hunger relief in America will be held at the University of Houston and be even more appealing to Minnesotans if the Vikings are playing in Houston’s Super Bowl the next day. More at Tasteofthenfl.com.

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Vikings QB Cautions about 5-0 Starts

Posted on October 19, 2016October 19, 2016 by David Shama

The Vikings are 5-0 and ranked near the top of everybody’s NFL power rankings but the players insist they’re not high on themselves. They know how fast things can change in the NFL because of misfortune including injuries.

Shaun Hill is the No. 2 quarterback on the Vikings, and he was also a reserve in 2003 when Minnesota started the season 6-0. “I’ve been in this situation and I understand that there’s a lot of work yet to be done,” he told Sports Headliners.

The 2003 Vikings didn’t have a defense comparable to the 2016 version and the club lost four consecutive games after starting the season unbeaten. “I just know we led the division until the last play of the game that year, and didn’t do enough to make it to the postseason,” Hill recalled. “It doesn’t matter what your record is this week, it’s a…weekly (challenge), and really, you gotta go into every game as if both teams are 0-0.”

Wide receiver and kick returner Cordarralle Patterson said wherever he goes strangers and friends are hyped about the undefeated Vikings who play the 3-2 Eagles in Philadelphia Sunday afternoon. Patterson said he hears comments at gas stations, in taxis and on airplanes about how great the team is, but he knows fans are fickle.

Here’s what Patterson said fans tell him, and what his perspective is about the praise. “Oh, man, you all so good—5-0, man. We can’t believe it and all this. But two weeks from now (if the Vikings are losing), they be like, oh, man, ya all suck. I thought you all way better than you all was.

Cordarrelle Patterson (photo courtesy of Minnesota Vikings)

“I am like, duh. Just last week you said how good we is, and now you say we suck. So you can’t really pay attention to what people say. …”

Patterson is convinced teammates are focused and competitive, realizing there are 11 more games to be played before the playoffs. “There’s no selfish guys in this locker room. Everybody wants the next guy to be better than what they is. We like to compete. If you’re not competing, you’re not trying.”

Those comments will resonate with Hill. “I guarantee you this, they don’t hand out any trophies in October,” he said.

Worth Noting

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer talking about former North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz who as a rookie has started every game for the Eagles: “…It seems like he understands where the ball is going quickly. He has done a nice job of avoiding pressure in the pocket and using his athletic ability, and he has got a great arm. He looks very accurate to me. He has got a great deep ball. So, he has been impressive.”

Wisconsin lost in overtime Saturday night to Ohio State, 30-23, but Joel Stave told Sports Headliners he believes if the teams played 10 times in Madison, the Badgers would win half the games. Stave, the Badgers starting quarterback last season and now on the Vikings practice squad, attended Saturday night’s game in Madison and watched on the field.

Badgers coach Paul Chryst had the undefeated Buckeyes guessing as to what was going to happen next when Wisconsin had the ball. “I think he’s the best play caller in the country,” Stave said.

For the second consecutive week, players with state of Minnesota ties have been named Big Ten Players of the Week. Badgers junior linebacker Jack Cichy, a native of Somerset, Wisconsin who attended Hill-Murray School in Maplewood, was announced Monday as the Defensive Player of the Week for his career-high 15 tackles (11 solo) against Ohio State. Last week Purdue running back Brian Lankford-Johnson from St. Paul was Freshman of the Week after rushing for 127 yards against Illinois. Johnson signed with the Boilermakers after playing prep football in Palm Bay, Florida.

Former Gophers offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch, now an assistant at Michigan, might be among the candidates Purdue considers to fill its head coaching vacancy. A stronger possibility could be former Purdue assistant Brock Spack, now head coach at Illinois State where his wins this year include an upset of Northwestern.

It will be interesting to hear Saint John’s head football coach Gary Fasching speak to the C.O.R.E.S. lunch group Thursday, November 10. The Johnnies are not only nationally ranked and chasing the MIAC title, but Monday it was announced the St. Thomas-Saint John’s game next year will be played at Target Field. The lunch will be at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Bloomington, 1114 American Blvd. More information is available by contacting Jim Dotseth, dotsethj@comcast.net. C.O.R.E.S. is an acronym for coaches, officials, reporters, educators and sports fans.

Patrick Mahomes, the Texas Tech quarterback and son of former Twins pitcher Pat Mahomes, leads all FBS players in total offense at 455.2 yards per game.

Ex-Gophers quarterback Phil Nelson, now at East Carolina, ranks 19th in the country with 311.8 yards per game. Nelson first left the Gophers for Rutgers and later transferred to East Carolina where he is in his first and last season of eligibility. Former Minnesota coach Jerry Kill helped Nelson transition to East Carolina because of Jeff Compher, the Pirates’ athletics director. When Kill coached at Northern Illinois, Compher was the Huskies’ athletics director and the two built a friendship and mutual admiration.

“At the end of the day that’s how he (Nelson) got there, and that’s how it all worked out,” Kill told Sports Headliners. “Jeff was good enough to believe what I said and took the chance on Philip. He talked a lot about it. The reason Philip is at East Carolina is because of Jeff Compher and what kind of person Jeff Compher is.”

Wide receiver True Thompson, formerly of Armstrong High School, suffered a concussion in August while with the Iowa Western Community College football team, but he has resumed practicing with the team. Thompson, the son of ex-Gophers running back Darrell Thompson, is redshirting this year.

Home court might be the difference tomorrow night when the WNBA Finals are decided at Target Center. The Lynx and Sparks are tied at two wins in the best of five series but Target Center has been a favored place for the Minnesota team. The Lynx is 16-3 this year in its home arena, including playoff games. With a victory the Lynx can win its second consecutive WNBA title and fourth in franchise history.

Owner Glen Taylor told Sports Headliners last month the franchise will have its most profitable year ever, coming in between $1 million and $2 million. Now with the club hosting three games in the WNBA Finals the bottom line should look even better.

Former Gophers All-American Leonard “Buddy” Edelen, who became the first man to run a marathon faster than two hours and 15 minutes in 1963, is among those selected for the 2016 USATF National Track & Field Hall of Fame Class. Edelen, who passed away in 1997, will be posthumously inducted during the second annual Black Tie & Sneakers Gala in New York on November 3.

A native of Harrodsburg, Kentucky, Edelen was a two-time All-American and a two-time Big Ten champion for the Gophers competing for the cross country and track teams in the late 1950s. In 1963 he ran 2:14.28 to win Britain’s Polytechnic Marathon. He finished sixth in the marathon at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

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